China and North Korea holding talks of Xi Jinping visit to Pyongyang

Vastavam web: China and North Korea have been holding talks about a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang, a Japanese newspaper reported today as regional leaders step up diplomatic dialogue.The North is using its Beijing embassy to arrange Xi’s itinerary with the international department of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, quoting Chinese and North Korean sources.Asked about the report, a foreign ministry spokeswoman in Beijing said: “We are willing to maintain and strengthen high-level exchanges with the DPRK (North Korea), deepen strategic communication and expand exchanges and cooperation to benefit the people of both countries.”

“Not long ago, President Xi said he is willing to maintain regular contact with Chairman Kim Jong-Un through visits, special envoys and the exchange of letters,” said spokeswoman Hua Chunying.The Chinese side will make a final decision after observing the results of the planned US-North summit, according to the Yomiuri.Kim made a surprise trip to the Chinese capital to meet Xi in late March and invited him to visit Pyongyang.

China and North Korea are trying to repair relations, which have been strained as Beijing has backed a series of United Nations sanctions intended to pressure Pyongyang to stop its nuclear activities.Kim is scheduled to hold a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27.